The trade and industry select committee called on the government both to continue investing in nuclear power and to protect Britain's ability to produce deep-mined coal.

But in a report, the MPs questioned the logic behind the current moratorium on planning consents for gas-fuelled power stations, announced late last year.

The ban was intended to protect the deep-mined industry until the government completes its energy review.

The committee said: "Repeated deferral of decisions cannot itself be erected into a policy... What is required is a policy on fuel mix."

The report condemned the government for taking six months after it came to power to recognise the need to start to devise an energy policy.

"It cannot escape criticism for having let so much time pass in 1997 without undertaking an energy policy review," the MPs said.

Dash-for-gas block condemned

The committee could not see any reason for an artificial clamp on the so-called 'dash for gas' - the increasing use of gas to fuel electricity generation.

Members also argued the case for a continuing role for nuclear power.

"While a major effort would be required to turn around public opinion, and despite the currently unfavourable economic case for new nuclear plant, the question as to eventual new nuclear build cannot and must not be ducked any longer," it said.

We recommend that a formal presumption be made now for purposes of long-term planning that new nuclear plant may be required in the course of the next two decades."